In 1996, a visionary group of parents and their children’s special education teacher sat around a kitchen table in Park Ridge, Illinois and made a bold plan. At a time when there was minimal awareness that autism existed and few resources available, they started Have Dreams, a one-of-a-kind after-school social skills program for children with autism. The “Have” in Have Dreams stands for Helping Autistic Voices Emerge and over the years, we’ve stayed true to that mission. As the population we serve has increased and grown older, and the spectrum of autism has broadened, we have expanded our locations, programming, and professional training offerings to meet the ever-changing needs of families seeking resources, programs and support. Have Dreams is fortunate to have a community of support – participants, parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, donors, business partners, staff members, board members, and volunteers - working together to help us fulfill our mission since the organization’s founding in 1996.
